Public Safety committee  I think the term “cure” is inappropriate here. If I can just speak to the whole business of the disease idea, certainly, pedophilia is not a disease in the sense that schizophrenia is, which is an organic process. People commit sexual offences against children because they choose to.

Public Safety committee  I would have difficulty seeing how not granting a pardon would protect children.

Public Safety committee  I think where it plays a role is actually more in interfering with the process of rehabilitation. As I mentioned earlier, even just being able to get gainful employment...the people I see have tremendous difficulty getting any type of a job upon release from incarceration. Over time, if there are people who know them well, who can see the whole person rather than just the offence and see how they've changed, they may get a job.

Public Safety committee  Just to give you a bit of background, I know I have a bit of an unusual title as a sexual deviance specialist. It's caused me no end of embarrassment sometimes. I work for the Attorney General's department of the Province of Prince Edward Island. In that position I provide assessment and treatment to anyone who has been convicted of a sexual offence in the province or anyone who is presenting with deviant sexual urges, fantasies, or behaviours regardless of whether or not they have a criminal conviction.